As of 2026, this Cartagena food guide covers 13 restaurants by category — including La Cevichería, El Boliche Cebichería, La Mulata. See prices, locations and must-try dishes below.
Cartagena is Cartagena is Caribbean-Colombian cooking — ceviche, arepa de huevo, fried fish with coconut rice, and fruit-cart fruteras — from walled-city fine dining to Getsemani street eats (pricier than the rest of Colombia). We've organized 13 restaurants across 5 categories. Each entry includes prices, hours, local tips, and a Google Maps link so you can plan straight from the page.
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La Cevichería
Old City (Barrio San Diego) · Ceviche & Caribbean Seafood
Cartagena's signature — citrus-cured ceviche, fried whole fish with coconut rice, and creative seafood at La Cevichería, El Boliche, and La Mulata
La Cevichería
La Cevichería · Old City (Barrio San Diego)
1
#1
MUST TRY
Mixed ceviche COP 50,000-70,000, shrimp ceviche, ceviche with coconut
A small Old City seafood spot near Plaza San Diego that became internationally famous after Anthony Bourdain filmed here — known for fresh Caribbean ceviche in citrus, coconut, and other local marinades. The fame brings queues and prices well above the city norm, but the ceviche remains the reference point for the dish in Cartagena.
Local tip: Expect a line, especially at lunch — there's no reservation system and seating is limited, so come early or be ready to wait. The mixed and coconut ceviches are the signature orders. It's touristy and pricey for Colombia, but a classic Cartagena experience. Cards usually accepted; bring some pesos as backup.
El Boliche Cebichería · Old City (Barrio San Diego)
2
#2
MUST TRY
Creative ceviches (tamarind, coconut, suero costeño), grilled octopus, catch of the day with coconut rice
A tiny, creative seafood restaurant in the San Diego quarter with only a handful of tables, run by a chef with high-end kitchen pedigree. The kitchen turns local fish, octopus, shrimp, and conch into inventive ceviches marinated in tamarind, coconut milk, or suero costeño (a tangy Caribbean cured cream), alongside crab empanadas and grilled seafood.
Local tip: It's small, so reserve ahead or arrive early. The inventive ceviches are the reason to come — try the tamarind or coconut versions and the grilled octopus. A more refined, less touristy alternative to La Cevichería nearby. Cards accepted; reservations recommended.
Restaurante La Mulata · Old City (Barrio San Diego, Calle del Quero)
3
#3
MUST TRY
Menú del día (set lunch), ceviche, fried fish with coconut rice, limonada de coco
A colorful, cheerful Caribbean lunch spot on Calle del Quero in San Diego, popular with locals and visitors for honest home-style coastal cooking at reasonable-for-Cartagena prices. The set lunch and the coconut lemonade are the draws, along with ceviche, fried fish, and coconut rice in a bright, art-filled room.
$6-15
(COP 25,000-60,000)
11:00-21:00 (closed Sun; best at lunch)
Local tip: Go for lunch rather than dinner — the daily set menu (menú del día) is the best value, and it fills up fast, so arrive early (around noon). The limonada de coco (coconut lemonade) is a must. One of the better-value Caribbean meals in the Old City. Cash preferred; some cards accepted.
Cartagena's celebrated fine dining built on native ingredients — Celele, Carmen, and the traditional flavors of Candé
Celele
Celele — Proyecto Caribe Lab · Getsemaní
4
#1
MUST TRY
Tasting menu, Caribbean flower salad, fish salpicón with coconut, dishes built on native ingredients
Cartagena's most acclaimed restaurant, set in a blue house in Getsemaní and built on years of research into the Colombian Caribbean's native ingredients. It has appeared on Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants and the World's 50 Best Restaurants lists, cooking inventive, region-rooted dishes with rare local fruits, seeds, and seafood.
$50-100+
(COP 200,000-400,000+)
Dinner; days/hours vary by season — reserve ahead
Local tip: Reserve well ahead — it's small and in high demand. Go for the tasting menu to get the full picture of the kitchen's native-ingredient approach. Expensive by Colombian standards but a destination meal and reasonable versus international fine dining. Cards accepted; book online in advance.
An elegant contemporary restaurant in a colonial house on Calle del Santísimo in the Old City, serving polished cuisine inspired by Colombia's biodiversity and the flavors of the Caribbean coast. An intimate, refined dining room and a tasting-menu-driven kitchen make it one of Cartagena's leading fine-dining names.
Local tip: Reserve ahead, especially in high season. The tasting menu showcases the kitchen's contemporary Colombian approach; à la carte is available too. Dress is smart-casual. A polished special-occasion choice in the heart of the walled city. Cards accepted.
Posta cartagenera, arroz con coco, traditional Cartagena dishes, with live folkloric music & dance
A festive Old City restaurant focused on traditional Cartagena and Caribbean Colombian cooking — posta cartagenera (braised beef), coconut rice, fried fish, and regional classics — served with live folkloric music and dancing each night. The cultural show as much as the food is the draw.
$25-55
(COP 100,000-220,000)
Dinner (live show nightly); reserve ahead
Local tip: Come for the experience: the live music and folkloric dance make it a lively, atmospheric dinner. Order the traditional plates — posta cartagenera and arroz con coco. More about tradition and entertainment than cutting-edge cuisine. Reserve in high season; cards accepted.
The bohemian neighborhood's lively dining — wood-fired pizza and Caribbean tapas at Demente and Di Silvio around Plaza de la Trinidad
Demente Tapas Bar
Demente · Getsemaní (Plaza de la Trinidad)
7
#1
MUST TRY
Wood-fired pizza, Spanish-style tapas with Caribbean touches, patatas bravas, cocktails
A lively tapas bar just off Plaza de la Trinidad in Getsemaní, with two rooms and a beer garden built around a wood-fired oven. The menu mixes Spanish tapas with Caribbean touches and turns out well-regarded artisan pizza, alongside cocktails and craft beer in a fun, art-filled space.
Local tip: Great for a relaxed Getsemaní evening — the wood-fired pizza and shareable tapas pair well with drinks. The sidewalk rocking chairs and beer garden are part of the appeal. Right on the lively Plaza de la Trinidad scene, so it's social and can get busy. Cards accepted.
Di Silvio Trattoria · Getsemaní (Plaza de la Trinidad)
8
#2
MUST TRY
Thin-crust wood-fired pizza (blue cheese & green apple; bacon & caramelized onion), pasta
An Italian trattoria on Plaza de la Trinidad in the heart of Getsemaní, serving wood-fired thin-crust pizza and an extensive pasta menu. House-special pizzas like blue cheese with green apple, or bacon with caramelized onion, have made it a reliable, popular choice on the plaza.
Local tip: A solid, good-value sit-down option right on Getsemaní's main square — handy when you want pizza or pasta rather than Caribbean food. Grab a plaza-side table for the people-watching. Busy in the evening; cards accepted.
Arepa de huevo, pandebono, and fresh-cut fruit and coconut lemonade from carts, fruteras, and bakeries across the city
Arepa de Huevo Carts (Getsemaní & city gates)
Arepa de huevo · carimañolas · empanadas · Getsemaní & around the Old City gates
9
#1
MUST TRY
Arepa de huevo, carimañola (yuca-and-meat fritter), empanada, grilled corn
The classic Cartagena street snack is the arepa de huevo — a corn cake deep-fried with a whole egg inside — sold from carts and small fryers, especially around Getsemaní and the Old City gates. Alongside it you'll find carimañolas (yuca fritters stuffed with meat), empanadas, and grilled corn, all for a dollar or two.
$1-3
(COP 3,000-12,000)
Morning to night (varies by vendor)
Local tip: Look for busy stands with high turnover — the freshest, hottest arepas de huevo are pulled straight from the oil. They're a cheap, filling breakfast or snack. Cash only, and have small bills ready. A core, must-try part of eating in Cartagena.
Fruteras · palenqueras · limonada de coco · Old City plazas & walls
10
#2
MUST TRY
Fresh-cut fruit with salt & lime, mango biche (green mango), coconut lemonade, fresh juice
Fruit-cart vendors (fruteras) and the colorfully dressed palenqueras who balance fruit bowls on their heads are a Cartagena institution. They sell fresh-cut mango, papaya, watermelon, pineapple, and coconut — often dressed with salt and lime — plus fresh juices and the local favorite, limonada de coco (coconut lemonade).
$1-4
(COP 5,000-15,000)
Daytime (varies)
Local tip: Agree the price before you accept anything, as tourist quotes can be inflated — a fruit cup or coconut lemonade should be a few thousand pesos. Photographing a palenquera usually means a small tip; settle it first. A refreshing, authentic way to beat the heat. Cash only.
Pandebono, almojábana, pan de yuca, fresh juices, pastel de posta cartagenera
A popular bakery-café in the walled city, frequented by locals and tourists for warm Colombian baked goods — pandebono (cheesy dough rings), almojábana, pan de yuca — plus pasteles, fresh juices, and frappes. A handy, affordable spot for a quick snack or breakfast on the go.
$1-5
(COP 4,000-20,000)
Long hours daily (some branches near 24h)
Local tip: Grab a warm pandebono fresh from the oven with a fresh juice — cheap, filling, and central. Good for an early bite before sightseeing. Affordable by Old City standards. Mostly cash; some cards.
Drinks on the 16th-century ramparts at golden hour, and live salsa and mojitos at Café Havana in Getsemaní
Baluarte de Santo Domingo (sunset on the walls)
Baluarte de Santo Domingo · Old City (the ramparts)
12
#1
MUST TRY
Sunset cocktails or beer on the ramparts facing the Caribbean
The Baluarte de Santo Domingo is the section of the 16th-century walls that juts farthest toward the sea, giving an open view of the sunset over the Caribbean. Long home to the famous Café del Mar (which the city closed in 2024), the bastion now hosts a city-run venue, and the rampart sunset-drink ritual remains a Cartagena classic.
$5-20
(COP 20,000-80,000 (drinks))
Late afternoon into evening (sunset)
Local tip: Come 30-45 minutes before sunset for the best spot facing the open sea — it gets crowded. You're paying for the view and a drink rather than the food. If the wall-top venue is busy, simply walking the ramparts at golden hour is free and just as beautiful. Cards usually accepted at the venue.
Café Havana · Getsemaní (corner of Media Luna & Calle del Guerrero)
13
#2
MUST TRY
Mojitos, live salsa bands, Cuban-style atmosphere
The legendary salsa club on a corner of Getsemaní's Media Luna, with a Cuban vibe, mojitos, and live salsa bands that pack the floor from Thursday through the weekend. It's the best-known spot to experience Cartagena's salsa scene, drawing locals and travelers alike into a sweaty, energetic night.
Local tip: Go later (it heats up around 10-11pm) on a Thursday-to-Saturday night for live bands; there's usually a cover charge and it gets hot and crowded. You don't need to be a great dancer — the atmosphere carries it. Keep belongings secure in the crush. Cash for the cover; cards sometimes for drinks.
Arepa de huevo + a frutera fruit cup + a menu del dia.
Mid-Range
$35-70/day
Ceviche at La Cevicheria + a walled-city dinner + sunset on the ramparts.
Luxury
$120+/day
Celele or Carmen tasting (Latin America's 50 Best) + Rosario Islands lunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about food and restaurants in Cartagena.
What food should I try in Cartagena?
Start with ceviche (citrus-cured seafood, sometimes with coconut, COP 50,000-70,000 at the famous spots) and the street classic arepa de huevo (a corn cake fried with an egg inside, COP 3,000-6,000). The canonical Caribbean plate is fried whole fish with coconut rice (arroz con coco) and patacones (fried plantains). Don't miss posta cartagenera (sweet-savory braised beef), fresh fruit and coconut lemonade from the fruteras, and pandebono from the bakeries. Eat lunch as your big meal — the menú del día is the best value.
Where do I find the best ceviche and seafood?
La Cevichería in San Diego is the famous name (made known by Anthony Bourdain) — great ceviche but with queues and tourist prices. El Boliche Cebichería nearby is a smaller, more creative seafood spot with inventive ceviches in tamarind, coconut, and suero costeño. For honest, affordable Caribbean seafood and a great-value set lunch, La Mulata on Calle del Quero is a local favorite. Beachside fried fish on the islands is a classic too — just agree prices with vendors first.
What are Cartagena's best fine-dining restaurants?
Celele, in Getsemaní, is the standout — modern Colombian-Caribbean cooking built on native ingredients, ranked on Latin America's and the World's 50 Best Restaurants lists; reserve well ahead. Carmen, in the Old City, serves polished contemporary cuisine inspired by Colombian biodiversity. Candé does traditional Cartagena dishes with live folkloric music and dance. These are expensive for Colombia but reasonable versus North American or European fine dining; book ahead in high season.
Where can I eat cheaply in Cartagena?
The best value is the menú del día (set lunch — soup, rice, a protein, and juice) for COP 15,000-25,000 ($4-6) at casual spots away from the main plazas; La Mulata is a good example. Street food is cheap and core to the experience: arepa de huevo, carimañolas, and empanadas for a dollar or two, plus fresh fruit and coconut lemonade from the fruteras. Getsemaní has affordable stands and bakeries. Eat your big meal at lunch and graze on street food to keep costs down.
Is Cartagena's street food safe to eat?
Generally yes, and it's a highlight — but use common sense in the heat. Choose busy stalls with high turnover, where food is fried fresh and hot in front of you (arepa de huevo, empanadas, carimañolas). Fresh-cut fruit and coconut lemonade from busy fruteras are part of the local ritual. If you have a sensitive stomach, be a little cautious with ice and the most basic stalls, and stick to bottled water. Carry small bills, as street food and carts are cash-only.
Where can I enjoy a sunset drink or salsa night?
For sunset, head to the 16th-century walls near the Baluarte de Santo Domingo, the section that juts toward the sea — the long-running Café del Mar there was closed by the city in 2024, but a city-run venue now occupies the bastion and the rampart sunset-drink ritual continues; simply walking the walls at golden hour is free. For salsa, Café Havana in Getsemaní is the legendary club with live bands and mojitos, busiest Thursday through the weekend.
Cash or card, and how does tipping work?
Carry Colombian pesos in cash — taxis, street food, fruit carts, and small eateries are cash-only, while hotels, fine dining, and bigger restaurants take cards. Withdraw pesos from a bank ATM rather than airport currency desks for a better rate. Tipping at sit-down restaurants is usually a 10% service charge (propina) added to the bill; it's customary to leave it. You don't tip at street stalls. Agree prices upfront with taxis and beach or fruit-cart vendors.
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Jimmy Kong
TripPick founder · Travel content creator
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.
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